Mining apparatus



Aug. 8, 1944. v c. F. ossooo 2,355,176

MINING APPARATUS Filed Dec. 13, 1941 4 Sheets-Sheet s C. F. OSGOOD MINING APPARATUS Filed Dec. 13, 1941 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 (iii-Z2651. asyaad Patented Aug. 8, 1944 MINING APPARATUS Charles F. Osgood, Claremont N. H., assignor to Sullivan Machinery Company. a corporation of Massachusetts Application December 13, 1941, Serial No. 422,800

3 Claims. (01. 26228) This invention relates to mining apparatus, and more particularly to improvements in the propelling mechanism of an apparatus for mining coal.

In coal mining apparatus of the wheel-mounted,

track guided type, propulsion of the apparatus along the mine trackway is usually efiected by the drive of the traction Wheels of the apparatus. Th traction wheels are driven at a relatively high speed during tramming of the apparatus about the mine and at a relatively low speed during the cutting operation, i. e. during the making of rectilinear sumping and withdrawal cuts in the coal. Under certain conditions, particularly when the machine is operating on a gradient, the traction wheels ofttimes lose their tractive eiiort by slippage; and at such times it is necessary to provide some form of auxiliary propelling means which may supplement the traction wheels in the propolling of the apparatus. Usually such auxiliary propelling means assumes the form of a haulage drum embodied in the apparatus and having wound thereon a haulage cable which is connectible extraneous to the apparatus to an appropriately located anchor jack. Furthermore, such auxiliary haulage means are usually driven at predetermined speeds approximating the propelling speeds of the traction wheels and are usually employed only during the rectilinear sumpin and withdrawal cutting operations of the apparatus. Auxiliary propelling means of the haulage drum type have certain disadvantages since they lack flexibility and are time-consuming in operation, since it is necessary to extend the cable for attachment to the anchor jack and to rearrange the cable and anchor jack when reverse feed is desired. I

An object of the present invention is to provide an improved auxiliary propulsion means for a coal mining apparatus of the wheel mounted, track guided type, which overcomes the disadvantages of previous known devices. Another object is to provide an improved supplemental propulsion means which is embodied in the app an operable through a wide range of feeding speeds appropriate for cutting, and which may be quickly set into operation. Another object is to provide a .novel auxiliary propulsion means for a coal mining apparatus of the wheel mounted, track guided type whereby the low speed track wheel propulsion means of the apparatus may be either supplemented or supplanted. A further object is to provide an improved hydraulically operated, cylinder and piston type propelling mechanism for a track mounted coal mining apparatus wherein the propelling mechanism is embodied in the apparatus and is attachable to the railsvof the mine trackway. Yet another object is to provide an improved auxiliary propelling. means for a track mounted coal mining apparatus, which may be quickly placed into operation and may serve either to. supplement or supplant the low speed truck wheel drive. A still further object isto provide, a hydraulic jack mechanism pivotally connected to the apparatus and operated by apower source within the apparatus, for effecting propulsion of the apparatus during the cutting operation. A still further object is to provide an improved hydraulic jack mechanism embodied in the coal mining apparatus and attachable to the rails of the mine trackway upon which the apparatus is supported and guided. linother object is to provide a novel feed jack device connectible to the mining apparatus and an extraneous abutment for efiecting propulsion of the apparatus along a mine trackway during the opposite rectilinear sumping and withdrawal cutting operations, and deriving its power from the mining apparatus. How these and other objects are accomplished and the advantageous features of the invention, will be best understood from the following detailed description wherein a preferred and illustrative embodiment is set forth, reference for the purpose'being had to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Fig. 1 is a side elevational View of a coal mining apparatus in which an illustrative form of the invention is embodied.

Fig. 2 is an enlarged fragmentary view in side elevation of the rearward portion of the apparatus shown in Fig. 1, illustrating the improved auxiliary propelling means.

Fig. 3 is a sectional view, with parts in plan, showing the truck wheel driving mechanism.

Fig. 4 is a longitudinally extending vertical sectional view taken substantially on line 44 of Fig, 3.

Fig. 5 is an enlarged horizontal sectional View taken substantially on line 5-5 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 6 is an enlarged cross sectional view taken substantially on line 66 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 7 is a diagrammatic view illustrating the hydraulic system, V

Fig. 8 is a diagrammatic side elevational view showing the improved coal mining apparatus making a horizontal cut in a mine entry. I I

Fig. 9 is a diagrammatic plan view showing the improved mining apparatus in a mine entry with the kerf cutter in its different horizontal cutting positions.

In this illustrative form of the invention the improved auxiliary propelling means is shown embodied in a coal mining apparatus of the wheel fully disclosed in the patent to Joseph F. Joy,v

Patent No. 2,229,087, patented January 21, 1941,

and is of thewell known universal type having kerf cutting mechanism adjustable through a relatively wide range, for cutting plane kerfs at various locations in the coal face. The mining apparatus comprises a truck frame I mounted on wheels 2 adapted to travel along a mine trackway 3 laid on the mine floor. The truck frame carries a forwardly located,horizontal turntable 4 on which is pivotally mounted at 5 a vertically swingable boom 6, the latter carrying a rotatable turnover cutter head 1. Pivotally'mounted at 8 on the rotatable cutter head is a cutter support 9 carrying an elongated plane kerf cuttor-I8. Hydraulic cylinders H are employed for swinging the boom 6 in a vertical direction with respect to the turntable while hydraulic cylinders 12 afford means for rotating the cutter head 1. The cutter support 9 is swingable about its pivot by'means of a hydraulic cylinder l3, and similar hydraulic cylinders l4 (shown in dotted lines in Fig. 1) are provided for rotating the turntable 4. Embodied in the apparatus are motors for driving the kerf cutter and the truck wheels and for actuating the pump which supplies liquid under pressure to the various hydraulically operated cylinders of the apparatus. The truck wheel driving motor is designated 5 (Fig. 4) and has its power shaft coupled to a longitudinal transmission shaft l6 suitably 'journaled in a gear housing Fixed to the shaft is isa spur pinion |8 meshing with a spur gear l9, herein a high speed terminal gear, journaled on a longitudinal shaft 2|. The gear I9 is connectible by a conventional friction clutch to the shaft 2|. Rotatable with and driven by the gear I9 is a spur pinion 22 meshing with a spur gear 23 fixed to a shaft 24. Also fixed to the shaft 24 is a spur pinion 25 meshing with a spur gear 26, herein a low speed terminal gear, likewise journaled on the shaft 2| and connectible by'a conventional friction clutch 21 to the shaft. Keyed to the shaft 2| is a bevel gear 28 meshing with reverse bevels 29 and 3|] journaled on a horizontal, transhigh speed gearing l8, I9 and at a relatively low speed appropriate for cutting through the low speedgearing 22, 23, 25, 26. By connecting one or the other of the reverse bevels 29, 35 to the shaft 3|, the truck wheels may be driven in either of opposite directions at either speed.

From the foregoing it will be evident that the kerf cutter may be adjusted through a wide range of cutting positions with respect to the coal face by adjusting the boom and cutter support and revolving the cutter head, and that the apparatus may be propelled by the truck wheels along a mine trackway all in the manner fully described ;-in the patent above referred to.

Now referring to the improved auxiliary propelling means, it wil be noted that arranged within longitudinal recesses 4|], at the opposite sides of the rearward portion of the truck frame are hydraulic jacks 4|, 4|. These jacks extend longitudinally of the apparatus and each comprise a hydraulic cylinder 42 universally pivotally connected at its forward end at 43 to a bracket M secured to the truck frame just rearwardly of the rear truck wheels, in the manner shown in Fig. 2. Reciprocable within each of the cylinders is a piston 45 having its piston rod 46 projecting rearwardly through the rear cylinder head 41. The piston rods at their rearward ends have universal pivotal connection at 48 with quick detachable clamps 49 attachable to the rails of the mine trackway. These clamps are grooved or recessed at 56 to receive the rail treads and have opposed gripping surfaces 5|, 5| for gripping the opposite sides of the rail treads when the clamp is svmmg about an upright axis. Embodied in the apparatus is a conventional pump 52 arranged within a liquid reservoir 53, and this pump has its intake 54 submerged within the liquid in th reservoir. The pump discharge is connected through a conduit 55 to supply passages 56, 56 of a conventional valve box 57, and the passages 56 communicate with a valve receiving bore 58 which contains a slidevalve 59. The valve box has a discharge passage 60 connected through a conduit 6| back to the reservoir. The valve receiv ing bore is connected through a conduit 82 with the rearward ends of the jack cylinders 42 and through a conduit 63 with the forward ends of the jack cylinders. Under the control of the slide v-alve, liquid under pressure may be supplied to either the forward ends or the rearward ends of the jack cylinders in an obvious manner. Suitable hooks ii l are attached to the truck frame by chains 65, and these hooks are connectible to the jack cylinders for holding the jacks in raised, inoperative position during tramming of the mining apparatus about the mine.

The coal mining apparatus may be propelled along the mine trackway during tramming at a relatively high speed under the propulsion of the truck wheels, and when the coal face is reached the truck wheel drive may be disconnected. The hydraulic jacks may then be swung downwardly with their clamps 49 in engagement with the track rails; and when liquid'under pressure is supplied to the forward ends of the jack cylinders 42 under the control of the slide valve, the apparatus may be moved forwardly along the mine trackway at a relatively low cutting speed to sump the kerf cutter of the kerf cutting mechanism into the coal, in the manner shown in Fig. 8. When it is desired to move the mining apparatus rearwardly along the mine trackway to effect the withdrawal movement of the kerf cutter, liquid under pressure may be supplied to the rearward ends of the jack cylinders, and at that time the rail clamps automatically reverse to effect opposite gripping of the track rails. When it is desired to insert a horizontal kerf in the coal seam, as, for instance, at the level of the mine hour, the turntable 4 of the mining apparatus may be rotated by the hydraulic cylinders i l to swing the boom horizontally into the full 'line position shown in Fig. 9, with the tip end of the kerf cutter l0 disposed near the right hand rib at the coal face. Liquid under pressure may then be supplied to the forward ends of the jack cylinders I! to effect propulsion of the apparatus forwardly bodily along the mine trackway to effect rectilinear sumping movement of the kerf cutter into the coal from the full line position indicated at A in Fig. 9 to the dotted line position indicated at B. Liquid may then be trapped in the cylinders to hold the same stationary, thereby to hold the apparatus against bodily movement along the trackway. The turntable 4 may then be rotated to swing the boom horizontally from left to right, to move the kerf cutter arcuately across the coal face from the position indicated at B in Fig. 9 to the dotted 1ine position indicated at C, thereby to make a transverse cut beneath the coal. During this operation entrapment of liquid within the forward ends of the cylinders will prevent the apparatus being thrust back from the face while the kerf cutter exerts a rearward reaction on the apparatus, and fluid can be admitted to the opposite ends of the cylinders to prevent forward movement of the apparatu during completion of the swinging out, if desired. Liquid under pressure may then be supplied to the rearward ends of the jack cylinders 12 to move the mining apparatus bodily rearwardly along the mine trackway to effect rectilinear withdrawal movement of the kerf cutter from the position indicated at C in Fig. 9 to the dotted line position indicated at D. During the sumping and withdrawal movements of the mining apparatus, the truck wheels roll freely along the trackway, and during such operation the low speed truck wheel drive may be disconnected. When the kerf cutting operation is completed, the hydraulic jacks may be detached from the track rails and then swung upwardly into an o-ut-of-the-Way position within the recesses dB, and held in such position by the hooks 64. When the mining apparatus is making its rectilinear sumping and withdrawal cuts, while supported and guided by a mine trackway which is slightly curved, the universal pivotal connections 33 and 43 of the jacks with the truck frame and the rail clamps permit feeding movement of the apparatus along the curved trackway without distortion. The universal pivotal mountings for the jacks and rear clamps also permit movement of the mining apparatus along a mine trackway which is uneven. The hydraulic jacks may supplement the truck wheels in the propulsion of the apparatus during the kerf cutting operation or may supplant the low speed drive of the truck wheels.

As a result of this invention it will be noted that an improved auxiliary propelling means is provided for a coal mining apparatus of the wheel mounted, track guided type for propelling the apparatus through a wide range of feeding speeds appropriate for cutting. It will further be evident that the improved auxiliary propelling means is flexible and smooth in operation and may be quickly set into operation simply by attaching the rail clamps to the rails of the mine trackway. It will further be evident that by the provision of the improved propelling means, the low speed truck wheel propulsion means of the apparatus may be either supplemented or supplanted. Further, by the provision of the hyvol draulic jacks attachable to the track rails the apparatus may be readily propelled up an inclined trackway during the kerf cutting operation. Other uses and advantages of the invention will be clearly apparent to those skilled in the art.

While there is in this application specifically described one form which the invention may assume in practice, it will be understood that this form of the same is shown for purposes of illustration and that the invention may be modified and embodied in various other forms without departing from its spirit or the scope of the appended claims.

What I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. In a mining apparatus, the combination comprising a wheel mounted, portable base guided for movement along a mine trackway, means for propelling the apparatus along the trackway at a relatively high speed during tramming, kerf cutting mechanism mounted on said base and adapted to cut a plane kerf in a coal seam, and means for feeding the apparatus bodily back and forth along the trackway at a relatively low speed suitable for cutting to effect rectilinear sumping and withdrawal movements of said kerf cutting mechanism, said low speed feeding means being entirely distinct from said high speed propelling means and comprising a longitudinally extending, axially extensible, hydraulic jack having its feeding range equal to the desired kerf depth, said jack having at its forward end a universal pivotal connection with said base and attachable at its rear end to the mine trackway, and means on said base for supplying fluid under pressure to said jack at a controlled rate.

2. In a mining apparatus, the combination comprising a wheel mounted, portable base guided for movement along a mine trackway, means for propelling the apparatus along the trackwa at a relatively high speed during tramming, kerf cutting mechanism mounted on said base and adapted to out a plane kerf in a coal seam, and means for feeding the apparatus bodily back and forth along the trackway at a relatively low speed suitable for cutting to effect rectilinear sumping and withdrawal movements of said kerf cutting mechanism, said low speed feeding means being entirely distinct from said high speed propelling means and comprising a longitudinally extending, axially extensible, hydraulic jack having its feeding range equal to the desired kerf depth, said jack having at its forward end a universal pivotal connection with said base, a quick detachable connection having a universal pivotal connection with the rear end of said jack for attaching the latter to the mine trackway, and means on said base for supplying fluid under pressure to said jack at a controlled rate.

3. In a mining apparatus, the combination comprising a wheel mounted, portable base guided for movement along a mine trackway, means for propelling the apparatus along the trackway at a relatively high speed during tramming, kerf cutting mechanism mounted on said base and adapted to cut a plane kerf in a coal seam, and means for feeding the apparatus bodily back and forth along the trackway at a relatively low speed suitable for cutting to effect rectilinear sumping and withdrawal movements ofsaid kerf cutting mechanism, said low speed feeding means being entirely distinct from said high speed propelling means and comprising a longitudinally extending, axially extensible, hydraulic jack having its feeding range equal to the desired kerf depth, said jack having at one end a universal pivotal connection with said base and attachable at its other end to the mine trackway, and means on said base for supplying fluid under pressure to said jack at a controlled rate.

CHARLES F. OSGOOD. 

